Titreenp SERIOUSLY. This is what the crap Hollywood still puts out?

NekoHomey Purely Joyful Movie!

Fairaher The film makes a home in your brain and the only cure is to see it again.

Patience Watson One of those movie experiences that is so good it makes you realize you've been grading everything else on a curve.

theoctobercountry As I've noted previously, I'm a tremendous old-movie buff. Unfortunately, not all the A-list films from Hollywood's golden age are in fact all that golden...Case in point: "The Belle of New York" (1952). This is widely considered to be one of Fred Astaire's worst films, and I'm afraid I have to agree. Difficult to see how things went so wrong, when all the right ingredients were in place. In this instance, the typical MGM magic missed the mark.The film is just so, well, uninspired from beginning to end. There's only the faintest whisper of a plot, with none of the characters seeming the least bit grounded in the admittedly loose reality of the world of musicals---none of the emotions portrayed seem real or carry any weight. Plus, there's a definite problem with the music---the songs are pleasant enough but instantly and utterly forgettable. I couldn't remember any of these tunes mere moments after they had ended.The thing is, the film contains many elements that should have made it so much better; in theory, there's a lot to like about this picture. While the songs aren't so great, the dancing is splendid. Here you have Vera-Ellen and Fred Astaire partnered---they were two of the very best dancers of Hollywood's golden age, and it's a pleasure to watch them work their magic. The supporting cast is amusing---Marjorie Maine is always a force to be reckoned with. And Alice Pearce just cracks me up- --I have a great fondness for this actress (twelve years after this film she would play Gladys Kravitz in the television series "Bewitched"). And of course visually the film is a treat, with lovely costumes and vivid Technicolor. But overall---the whole thing still remains rather tiresome and a disappointment in many respects. For old film buffs only.I've noted that Vera-Ellen was a great dancer, but that doesn't begin to cover it---she was an astoundingly good dancer; one of the best that ever worked at the studio. And on top of that she was quite attractive; she looks absolutely lovely in this film. But somehow stardom eluded her... I think she lacked that indefinable spark, that special charisma, that the great stars had. While she performs well enough in this picture, the viewer is never really drawn to the character; there's something missing in her acting, in the way her personality comes across, it seems to me.... While best remembered for her role in 1954's "White Christmas," Vera-Ellen continued to work in films until 1957, when she gave it all up. She had made fourteen films over the course of twelve years, but after that she never returned to the screen.

mountainkath I love classic movies. I love musicals. I love Fred Astaire.That said, this movie was a huge disappointment. The plot was ridiculous (even for a musical) and the only saving grace was most of the dances that Fred Astaire and Vera-Ellen danced together. If this movie was just a movie (and not a musical), I wouldn't have made it past the first 20 minutes.I absolutely loved most of Fred and Vera-Ellen's dances, especially "Oops". That dance was simply wonderful and I ended up watching it three times.I'm not opposed to a bit of fantasy in movies (I adore the 18 minute ballet in An American In Paris, for example), but the 'dancing on air' bit in this movie was just jaw dropping-ly awful. It was a silly gimmick and it was worse every time they utilized it.On a positive note: I thoroughly enjoyed all of the performances by Fred, Vera-Ellen, Marjorie Main, Keenan Wynn and Alice Pierce. They had a poor script to work with, but they did a wonderful job.The other positive aspect of this movie was the costumes. All of Vera-Ellen's gowns were stunning. I especially loved the dusty blue number in "Oops".I am happy I saw this movie. I just don't intend to see it again.

Bill This was not the best movie ever made. If it were much longer than 82 minutes it might have been much less interesting. But it was entertaining and amusing at that length. I also think that Fred Astaire proves once again that the seemingly effortless grace and style and rhythm and yes, even charm, that he displays in "I wanna be a dancing man" places him in the very top echelon of modern day dancers. Bojangles. Fred Astaire. Bob Fosse. And perhaps a dancer who has not yet been discovered. For 82 minutes of inconsequential entertainment you could do much worse than this. And did anyone else notice that the effects presage Mary Poppins some ten years later? I love to laugh.....lol...

ceva The mostly negative reviews relating to this movie miss the mark. Although the script and special effects are undeniably weak, the partnered dancing of Fred Astaire and Vera-Ellen has never been equaled. One dance of particular note is the finale to the Currier and Ives number. It's simply breathtaking. Don't worry about the plot when you're watching the two best dancers in the history of Hollywood at the zenith of their powers.